Brisbane! - Queensland-australia.eu

Islands
North Stradbroke Island
2.2 hours via car and ferry
Just a stone’s throw from
Brisbane, Straddie is one
of three big sand islands in
Moreton Bay that protect
Brisbane from the ravages of
the Pacific Ocean. It takes just
one hour on the ferry to swap
the urban jungle for protected
coves, rugged beaches, 4WD
drives, freshwater lakes and
plenty of wildlife. Between
June and late October, you
are very likely to see whales
migrating up and down the
coast off Point Lookout as well
as the usual dolphins, turtles
and manta rays. The North
Headlands Gorge walk along a
rocky outcrop at Point Lookout
has beautiful coastal views.
There are several campsites and
a hostel, or consider renting a
house if there is a group of you.
By public transport, take the
train to Cleveland to connect
with the ferry. There is a bus
connection on the island for
both Amity and Point Lookout.
You do not need a 4WD as the
roads are sealed.
Moreton Island
1.15 hours via ferry from
Moreton Bay
From Flinders Beach on Straddie
you can almost touch the
southern tip of Moreton. Unlike
Straddie, you need a 4WD to
get around the island so if you
are without wheels hop on one
of the many tours. Moreton, the
second largest sand island in the
world (after Fraser Island further
north), is one big national park
and has heaps to do. From
tobogganing down the world’s
highest sand dune, quad biking,
fishing, snorkelling, open water
diving, whale watching, wildlife
walks, etc. Or you can simply
relax in peace on one of many
sandy beaches! There are day
trips but a weekend camping
in this big national park is really
the way to go. If you want to
hand-feed cute bottlenose
dolphins you will have to book a
tour through Tangalooma Island
Resort or stay overnight at the
resort. If you are travelling to
Moreton during whale season,
there’s a chance of seeing
humpbacks from the ferry!
Southern Bay Islands:
Coochiemudlo, Russell,
Karragarra, Lamb and
Macleay Islands.
1.3 hours via car and ferry
At the southern end of
Moreton Bay are five islands
nestled between Straddie and
the mainland accessible by a
ferry service. These islands are
nothing flash but it’s a lot of fun
(and it’s very cheap) to island
hop for the day.
The ferry to Coochiemudlo
departs from Victoria Point and
takes ten minutes. The island
has a thriving art community
and is small enough that you
can walk around it in an hour,
or hire an aqua bike or kayak
and paddle in the quiet waters
that lap these islands.The ferry
to Russell, Karragarra, Lamb
and Macleay Islands departs
from Weinam Creek, Redland
Bay. On Russell, you can hire a
tinny (small metal dinghy) and
fish in the quiet waterways or
try your luck at spotting turtles
and even dugong. Lamb is just
2km by 1km, and Karragarra is
the smallest and quietest of all
and surrounded by mangroves.
Apart from Coochie, these
islands aren’t really geared for
visitors so pack a picnic and a
sense of adventure!
76 Explore
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